Thought it might be worth updating this thread with the promising news I've just had from TfL that they are looking into providing additional 176 and 185 services.
Reply to my representations (made to TfL via Caroline Pidgeon (Lib Dem), who is Deputy Chair of the London Assembly’s Transport Committee), from the office of the MD of surface transport, as follows (my bolding):
I would like to assure Mr Crozier that we regularly monitor demand on the bus network in a variety of ways, including surveys (we have conducted around 7000 in the last three years alone), use of Oyster card data, and reviews of customer and stakeholder correspondence. Although complaints about overcrowding typically comprise fewer than 5 per cent of the total comments we receive about buses, we take all such complaints seriously and address them in a variety of ways including changes to frequencies and bus sizes as well as measures to improve reliability.
We have now investigated the reports of over-crowding on routes 176 and 185, and I can confirm that both routes do look well used. We are therefore exploring the possibility of providing an additional journey or journeys on route 176, although I must emphasise that this proposal is provisional, and is subject to confirmation of costs from the operator and final approval. We are currently reviewing the existing passenger loading data for route 185 in closer detail, and depending on the outcome we will look at undertaking additional surveys or proposing a change in capacity if required. I will be happy to provide an update as soon as further information is available.
I’ve asked for clarification on likely timescale, both for the next update from TfL and for the actual provision of any additional services, and will post that here when I hear something.
Fingers crossed!
George Crozier
(Forest Hill Lib Dems)
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